Once great closer Craig Kimbrel will try to resuscitate his career with the Rangers
The Texas Rangers have signed veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minor league deal, per multiple reports.
Kimbrel, 37, signed with the Atlanta Braves, his original organization, near the end of spring training. He spent the first two months of the season working in the minors before being added to the Braves’ active roster last week. However, he was designated for assignment after just one appearance, in which he walked one and struck out one in a scoreless innings. Upon clearing waivers, he became a free agent, and is now presumably joining the Round Rock Express.
Kimbrel had a multi-year stretch where he was one of the best relievers in the league, but has but up and down over the last seven-eight years. He had a 2.10 ERA for Baltimore last season through mid-July, but then allowed 25 runs over his final 19 appearances of the season, covering 18 innings.
The Rangers came into the season without a “proven closer,” and Robert Garcia is currently handling the role after Luke Jackson, who started the season as the closer, lost the job. It may be that the Rangers want to see if there may be enough left in the tank for him to be a viable 9th inning option.